Chapter 2: A Friend in Need...

	"What have we got?" Said David, as Sarah came into the office.
	"Well, sir, I'm not sure. The reccy patrol found what was left of Nick's camp, but it was an odd 
sight. For starters, the Invid had cleared up the remains of the mecha. That's certainly not normal 
behaviour for them. What's more, they were all just sitting around on the sight; a few lobsters, three of 
the ugly purple ones and a little squirt."
	"I'm amazed by your technical expertise. What else was there?"
	"Well, sir, they seemed to have a captive."
	"What?"
	"Yes, sir. They were just standing around, and the little one was pointing some kind of rifle at 
him. It was weird; they were so still. Then one of the uglies just walked up to a tree and uprooted it. 
Bizarre."
	"And worrying. Do we know if there's a hive nearby?"
	"That's what's so strange. There isn't one for miles."
	"Hmm. Certainly curious behaviour. You're dismissed."
	"Sir?"
	"What?"
	"What about their prisoner?"
	"Well, what about him?"

	Far away from the aches of responsibility, Nick and Dovak were resting down in the lounge. 
Nick came back from the bar, and threw Dovak a small can.
	"What's this?"
	"Beer. You'll like it. Just open it like this," he demonstrated, "and drink."
	Dovak was sitting on a couch. He opened up the can, took a cautious sniff, and then following 
Nick's example, took a large swig. The couch abruptly overturned.
	"What is that stuff?!?" Asked Dovak after picking his face up off the floor.
	"I told you, it's just a drink. It helps you relax."
	After a long pause, Dovak said cautiously "I don't think I'll have any more."
	"Suit yourself," said Nick, and proceeded to swill down most of his can. The siren suddenly 
blurted out, causing Nick to suddenly start, spill his beer everywhere, and stumble around the room 
coughing and choking.
	David's voice came out over the PA system. "Will Nick and Dovak please report to the 
command room for briefing."
	"Right." Said Dovak.
	"GHACK!!" Agreed Nick.
	Relaxation? Thought Dovak, You can keep it.

	"Glad you could show up. What took you so long?" Asked David as Nick stumbled into the 
command room. Sarah was already standing in there, in full armour but with her helmet off. Dovak was 
standing nervously by the door, ready to run at the first opportunity.
	Before Nick could tell him not to, Dovak explained exactly why.
	That laugh again. David's so self-confidant laugh. It wouldn't be nearly so bad, if not for the 
fact that Sarah was sniggering as well. That hurt.
	"Anyway," <snigger> "we've got an odd situation here. a group of Invid are at your old 
campsite, Nick, but uprooting the trees for some reason. And they've got a prisoner."
	"So what's the plan, sir?"
	"Well, we can't just leave him to his fate, so we go there and rescue him. From Sarah's," 
Pause. Sigh. "Detailed report, they've got four or five pincers, three shock troopers and a small 
humanoid one. We're not quite sure what it is, but we haven't seen it before. My plan is simple. Nick, 
you go in with the Bronco and make a quick strike. Get their attention, and try to draw them away. 
Dovak, you'll be waiting nearby to ambush-"
	Sarah interrupted. "But sir, I'm still not sure we can trust him. Either of them, for that matter."
	"Odd, given your opinions, that you recommended rescuing their prisoner. Maybe you want 
someone else to put on the rack."
	"Uh, sir?" He just laughed again. Sarah blushed furiously, and was quiet. Nick looked 
confused, and shrugged. Dovak, as always, was noncommital.
	"Back to the plan. Dovak waits to ambush any of them that Nick can draw off." David then 
turned to Sarah. "Your job is the important one. You dash in there on a hovercycle, grab him, and bolt 
once they're distracted."
	"Why not the Garland sir? It's better armed and armoured."
	"It's also slower. And besides, what matters is your armour, not the bike's. Furthermore, 
weaponry doesn't matter, since you probably won't have a chance to fire at anything. Not to mention the 
fact that the Garland's protoculture powered."
	"Yes sir."
	"Good." He paused again. "Well, what are you all standing around for? GET MOVING!!"

	Nick had been airborne for a few minutes before David called him up. "A little note about 
drinking while on active duty. Don't do it. After all, you never know when something's going to come 
up."
	"Regulations, sir?"
	"No, personal experience. Buy the way, I had a good hard look at the recon photos taken of 
this prisoner. Files show him as corporal Benjamin Hamilton, a member of the GMP. You remember 
how Sarah seemed to act a bit odd? Seems those two's squad's worked together, and apparently they 
knew each other better than just that."
	"Uh, sir, begging your pardon but is this any of our business?"
	"If it affects her judgement, then yes it is."
	"That's all I needed to know." Hmm, name sounds familiar, thought Nick, but let it pass. He 
was approaching the target zone.
	The Bronco screamed out of the sky in fighter mode, catching the Invid by surprise. Already 
they'd made a good-sized clearing where there was previously just forest. He fired of a shell that caught 
one of the shock troopers in the back, blasting a massive hole in its carapace and sending it sprawling. 
He shot over the group and shoved the guardian mode lever forwards, kicking in the thrusters on one of 
the legs. The Bronco reacted swiftly, turning tightly and sliding into battloid mode at Nick's command so 
it was facing the Invid. The Invid hadn't been idle; most of them were already airborne. Nick sent a slug 
into a nearby Pincer, and sent it crashing into a Shock Trooper that was more stunned than damaged. 
He kicked the Bronco around in a tight circle, and flicked it into fighter mode as he sped off, with all but 
the foot soldier and one of the Pincers in pursuit. Not bad, he thought, In and out in just over ten 
seconds.
	Meanwhile, on the ground, Sarah knew her cue all too well. She sped in on the Hovercycle. 
The foot trooper had spotted her, and raised its rifle as she came careening into the clearing. Damn, 
she thought, I can't stop! Her 'cycle barrelled straight at the footie, and she suddenly spun it around just 
before it fired. The back of the hovercycle slammed into the Invid, sending it reeling back. The blast 
from its bazooka weapon went wild, shearing through a tree and sending it toppling on top of the 
Pincer. Not wasting any time, Sarah sped up to the stunned Benjamin, and yelled for him to get onto 
the bike. Still in a daze, he did so. Sarah kicked it into top gear and sped off, dodging the few wild shots 
the Invid soldier sent after her.
	Benjamin suddenly snapped back to reality. "Uh, Sarah? Sarah Jamie